365 Things I Am Grateful For: Day #1

How many times have you taken something for granted? 

Every once in a while, I sit back and realize how many wonderful things I am surrounded by in my life.  However, on a day to day basis I begin to put those items in the back of my mind, and I find myself getting caught up with the hardships, problems, and bumpy roads life sometimes puts in front of me.  Despite my "bad days" or "challenges in life" I am thankful for some many things that life has given to me. 

In the beginning of the year I told myself that 2011 would be the year that I got my life back.  It would be a year of self reflecting, self renewal, and self awareness...  

Earlier this week, I put myself on the 52 weeks of change challenge, however, today I have decided to add another challenge in my life;   

365 days of Things I am Grateful For 

Each day, I will make a post of something that I am thankful for on that day. 

Is it possible that I can be thankful for a new thing each day? Is it ungrateful that I think I won't be able to find 365 things? Or will I surpass this challenge and post for another full year as well? As I said, this is the year for self awareness and self reflecting...however, its also the year for happiness, and reminding myself of the wonderful things in my life.

Day #1 : I am grateful for my family

I was blessed with an enormous Italian family on one side and a loving and close Swedish family on the other.  My family means the world to me.  I talk to my parents a few times a week. I email with one of my cousins on a daily basis.  I was blessed with three strong, successful, intelligent brothers, and one gorgeous, brilliant, and talented sister.  My parents are my world and have gone through thick and thin for me.  They have taught me how to be the woman I am today.  I am lucky to have gotten to spend 26 wonderful years with my grandparents and they have taught me what self-less acts are...and how to love.  My aunts and uncles are a huge part of my life and have been like second parents to me.  We are closer than most families and I wouldn't have it any other way.

What are you grateful for?

Weekend with the parents

After a long week at work I was so excited to have my parents in town for the weekend. Although I saw them at Christmas, it had felt like an eternity since I had been with them. Seeing my mom and dad was the best feeling in the world.  I was like a kid on christmas morning the entire weekend.  It was so good to just be in their presence.  

Since they have been visiting me for over the past 4 years, it is starting to become difficult to find new and exciting activities for us to do while they are in down. After an exhausting week of events all I wanted to do was relax and spend time with the folks.  

Saturday we took advantage of the nice weather and went to the local driving range, Top Golf.  After losing two rounds to my oldest brother and father we headed back into the city to Founding Farmers, one of my favorite restaurants.  I convinced my mother to get the Chicken and Waffles and after a little resistance she was devouring her entire plate.

(photo courtesy of Citysearch)
sorry i realized after my plate was empty I should have taken a photo

Although I would have loved to take my parents out on the town for an night of drinking, we voted on renting a movie to end the perfect Saturday.  

I was so excited for Sunday morning because I had plans for us to stop by Ted's Bulletin in DC for their famous breakfast.  I had been hearing reviews about this place for a year and couldn't wait to try it out on my own.  

A few things to know about Ted's Bulletin before going:

 

1. The weekends are always crowded and they don't take reservations on Saturday and Sunday. ( we were told it was an hour wait, but we ended up only waiting approximately 30 minutes)

2. Brunch lines start building up around 9:30 am and don't die down until after noon.

3. They have homemade poptarts there that are TO DIE for

4.  Prices aren't too high and pretty reasonable for DC

5. Their old fashion decor, tvs and menus set the mood for this 1940s restaurant.

I was so excited to try the beer battered biscuits and gravy.  The sausage had an interesting kick of spice at the end which was a pleasant surprise.  I can't wait to go back and try their dinner menu! 

Accidental 3-Way

Tonight I got some exciting news in the mail.  After waiting 6 weeks to find out the results of my recent certification exam, I finally got the letter in the mail.  I had been sick to my stomach since I left the exam room that fateful day in January and as I walked in the front door today there it sat on the foyer table.  After debating for 2 minutes on whether or not to open it, I ripped open the letter and slowly folded back at the crease.  


All I saw was one word: CONGRATULATIONS!


I was so ecstatic that I immediately tried calling my parents.  Bad news was neither were answering my text or phone calls.  What was going on? I wanted to share the good news with them, but I couldn't see them anywhere.  Since I was on such a high I decided to dial my grandparents instead. 


Let me prep the next part by saying I have had major difficulties with the calling feature on my smartphone. The sensitive touch screen and delayed dialing make it hard to place calls normally.  


After a few rings, my grandma, on my father's side, answered and we chatted for a bit about the weather and her health.  All of the sudden in the middle of the conversation my phone starts ringing.  


What was going on??? Had I lost my grandmother on the line??


Nope, my phone just decided to take matters into its own hand and start dialing in a second number.  My heart began to beat faster as my dark phone screen, that was now not responding to my touch, prevented me from seeing who was now being dialed into our conversation.  Enter Grandma Rose (my mother's mom). Talk about the most confusing three way conversation with two women over the age of 85.  I mean these women have no idea what cell phones are let alone three way calling.  To say the least it was the most amusing three minutes of my life. Between finding out I passed the test and having an accidental three way with my grandmothers it was turning out to be a very entertaining evening.


Side note, my parents were excited and my mom tried to celebrate with me over drinks via the phone.  Too cute!

Laughing

Don't forget life is all about the little things that make us smile.  

If you haven't done so already today, smile at someone.  

You never know when a simple smile can turn a stranger's day around.

Sweet Escapes

Happy Valentines Day!! I know, I know...everywhere you look there are ads for Valentines Day.  I hate it just as much as every other single woman in the world, however, when I was younger my parents used to treat Valentines Day like every other major holiday.  I can remember special breakfasts and dinners followed by gifts before bedtime.  Although most women prefer to call this "Singles Awareness Day," even at 26 my family still goes out of their way to make us feel special on this holiday.  

This weekend my mother, sister, cousins, aunt and I traveled to Hershey, Pennsylvania, "The Sweetest Place on Earth", for our annual girls weekend. Upon arriving, my cousin knew exactly what would make my day after the long drive from DC, a pomegranate martini! 

YUMMY!!!

In the morning, we set out for a fun afternoon of shopping at the outlets and a quick lunch before heading to the Hotel Hershey for a sweet escape! 

If you haven't been there before, I highly recommend it.  Its a great place to relax, unwind and better yet...eat as much chocolate as you want! (really, what could be better)

Can you believe you can even get a chocolate massage or take a bath in chocolate! HEAVEN!!!

After spending a few hours at the spa, we showered, freshened up and head to dinner.  I love meeting up with the girls in my family.  We somehow know how to turn an ordinary dinner into hours of laughter. We ate at this little restaurant in downtown Hummelstown called the Warwick Hotel (the locals call it the "Wick"). I ordered the crabcake with this special sauce on the side and did it ever hit the spot!  


Post dinner (after sharing two pieces of pie between the 7 of us at the table), we drove back to my cousin's for pjs and CAKEPOPS! 

I figured we couldn't have a girls weekend without a few red velvet, dark chocolate bites of joy.  Thanks Bakerella for the amazing recipe. 

All in all it was another amazing girls weekend! Can't wait to try and top it next year.

Made of Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

This weekend I spent some time at my cousin's house in Pennsylvania.  I love spending time with her not only because she is one of the most beautiful people I know, but it also means  I get to see her beautiful baby boys.   Although playtimes begin at 7:00 a.m. and you run around more in ten minutes than you would at a session of zumba, its hard not to love these little munchkins.  

Doesn't this photo just make you want to hold and squeeze him.  I love the glasses!

After their youngest ran into my room at 7:00 a.m. asking for his toy train we shared a delicious breakfast together.  He ate 3 cups of blueberries and two pancakes.  His cheeks and baby blue eyes are to die for!

My cousin was showing her nephews a video of trains on her iphone and they were quiet for a whole 10 minutes straight.  I couldn't believe how entertained they were by the small screen.  

Although I am far from being ready to be a mother, I love the moments I can spend around these boys.  They bring such joy to my life.  I can't wait until our annual beach trip this summer!